Bow String release

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method of releasing the bow string of a bow in a manner that provides an archer with significant control over the string release. An attachment is connected to the trigger of a trigger activated hand held archery release. The attachment allows the trigger to be activated in a consistent and controlled manner, without shifting the position of the string or the arrow held in the string. The attachment has two opposing faces and a solid region between the opposing faces surrounded by an exterior surface, and includes a tactilely discernible activation position to which pressure is applied to activate the trigger of the archery release. The activation position may be an edge, bulge, or indention in the exterior surface to allow the archer to feel and utilize a consistent position at which to apply pressure to the trigger each time the bow string is drawn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an archery mechanism and process for releasing the bow string of a bow in a manner that provides an archer with significant control and accuracy. The process involves using a mechanism which attaches to the trigger of a standard trigger activated hand held archery release.

2. Description of the Prior Art

For thousands of years, bows and arrows have been used to kill game and to defend life and possessions from intruders. As has always been evident, an archer's ability to direct the arrow in a consistent and accurate manner is critical to success.

A number of archery accessories have been created to assist the archer in shooting an arrow with accuracy. Some mechanisms stabilize the arrow when it is held in a bow, to assure that the arrow is steady prior to being released from the bow. Examples of such arrow stabilizing mechanisms can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,591 to Terry, U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,842 to Bradley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,356 to Chappell, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,323 to Townley.

Other archery accessories are designed to stabilize the process of releasing the arrow by providing consistent ways to hold and release the bow string. A variety of specialized release mechanisms are known in the prior art, including releases which are activated by back pressure such as the release taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,915 to Summers and releases which are activated by pulling a lever such as the release taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,757,763 to Pinti et al.

Many archery release mechanisms are designed to hold the arrow in the bow until the precise moment when a trigger on the release mechanism is pushed in some manner, allowing the bow string to spring forward and propelling the arrow in the direction in which it was pointed in the bow. The direction of the arrow can be controlled more precisely when such mechanisms provide a stable and repeatable way to let go of the arrow and bow string, without shaking, vibrating, or otherwise disturbing the aim of the arrow. Examples of trigger activated release mechanisms which are designed to provide stable release of the bow string are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,286 to Summers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,796 to Peck, U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,683 to Peck, U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,319 to Brady, U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,523 to Peck, U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,945 to Carlton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,060 to Napier, U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,564 to Castonguay, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,703 to Cunningham.

While use of a hand held archery release typically improves stability of the arrow, consistency in releasing the bow string, and thus precision of the arrow's flight, it is possible to provide an even more accurate launch of the arrow by modifying the manner in which the trigger mechanism of a typical hand held archery release is actuated. Carter Enterprises currently offers an archery release that includes a barrel style extension to the trigger arm. However, barrel style products do not provide a consistent manner to grip and activate the trigger of the hand held release, since there is no way to repeatedly engage the cylindrical barrel in exactly the same manner. Because the barrel feels the same at all points, the archer is likely to position the finger with which he is engaging the trigger at different points on the barrel in successive draws of the bow string. The barrel mechanism connected to the trigger of a hand held release provides a manner of activating the trigger with minimal motion and thus a steady release of the bow string. While the same minimal motion and steady release can be achieved with the invention described herein, the claimed invention provides more consistency in activating the trigger, assuring a more accurate flight of the arrow.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of releasing a bow string on an archer's bow with a minimum of motion, allowing the bow string to propel the arrow forward in a steady and accurate manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for attaching to the trigger of various hand held archery releases to permit consistent engagement of the trigger and thus consistently accurate direction of the arrow.

These objects are achieved by an attachment which can be formed in a variety of shapes, any of which have opposing faces and a solid region between the faces surrounded by an exterior surface. It may be beneficial, but not required, for the opposing faces to be parallel. The attachment may be fashioned in a variety of shapes, such as a rectangular prism, a pyramidal prism, a prism with polygonal faces other than rectangles and pyramids, a cylinder, a quarter of a cylinder, or any other three dimensional form which can be engaged by a thumb, finger, or other area of the archer's hand and which can be attached to a trigger lever on a hand held release mechanism.

Throughout this Specification and the Claims herein, the term “solid” will be used to refer to the fact that the attachment has three dimensions, but is not intended to imply that the attachment is not hollow, as it is anticipated that one or more channels may advantageously exist through the solid region, each channel potentially extending from one face to the other face and suitable for receiving a fastener such as a screw, brad, or nail. In light of these possible channels, the solid region may in fact have hollow areas formed therein.

The channel to receive a fastener does not have to extend from face to face; it is possible to drill holes suitable for receiving a fastener in only one face or in different positions on opposing faces, extending only partially into the solid region and not to the opposing face, to create a variety of possible connection points. By providing multiple different connection holes into which a fastener can be removably inserted, the attachment has the capability of being placed in different positions with respect to the trigger of the hand held release. This flexibility allows the attachment to be useful for archers with different hand sizes and different manners of holding the bow string and hand held release. If fastener receiving holes are formed in each face (either extending from face to face or only extending partially into the solid region), the attachment can be attached to the trigger at either face, to allow it to be inverted and positioned on either side of the trigger. In this manner, the same attachment may be useful regardless of whether the archer prefers to draw the bow string with a right hand or left hand. The potential to utilize the attachment with either a right hand or left hand is advantageous in comparison to trigger mechanisms that do not have a removable attachment for engaging the trigger. It may be beneficial, although not required, to form a face of the attachment in a manner that is parallel to the trigger to which the attachment will be connected, to allow that face to fit flush against the trigger to minimize movement of the attachment in any direction other than the direction which activates the trigger.

Many commercially available hand held trigger devices have a hole formed from side-to-side of the trigger arm. The claimed attachment easily attaches to such triggers by inserting a fastener, such as a screw, brad, or nail, through the hole already existing in the trigger and then into the hole or channel formed in a face of the attachment, to secure a face of the attachment to a side of the trigger.

Key to the invention is a tactilely discernible activation position for pushing or pulling the trigger attachment in a manner that requires very little motion and is repeatable. The activation position may be established by an edge of the exterior surface, a convex bulge, a concave indention, or some combination thereof. Since the hand held release is typically held under the archer's chin, it is important that the activation position be locatable by feel, as opposed to by sight. Different embodiments of the attachment can easily be made to accommodate the shooting style of particular archers, depending on the size of the archer's hand and the part of the hand which a particular archer prefers to use to engage the trigger mechanism. For example, an archer who prefers to use the tip of a finger or thumb to activate the trigger may prefer a finger-tip-size concave indention in the exterior surface of the solid region, which can be felt to align the tip of the archer's digit in the correct place, can be repeatedly discerned, and can be easily engaged by a finger or thumb tip to apply pressure to activate the trigger to which the attachment is connected. A convex bulge in the exterior surface may be preferred by other archers. An archer who favors engaging the trigger with the interior of a finger joint or an area on the palm of the hand may find it beneficial to use an attachment the exterior surface of which is shaped to form an edge which can be easily felt and securely engaged. The edge may be formed as an area of intersection of two or more flat surfaces, each of which is a part of the exterior surface of the attachment. An attachment with versatility to be used in either way may advantageously have an edge in which a concave indention is formed.

Because of the activation position which can be felt and consistently engaged, the archer is able to repeat the same placement of his hand with respect to the trigger, and repeat the same motion to activate the trigger. This consistency allows for greater accuracy of shot. Appropriate pressure for activating the trigger can be applied by pressing the attachment in one vector direction, without twisting or turning the trigger in a manner that affects the direction of the arrow. Furthermore, the attachment mechanism effectively lengthens the lever arm of the trigger, allowing the trigger to be activated by applying a minimal amount of pressure. Using less pressure to activate the trigger decreases the chance of the archer causing movement to the bow and arrow in the process of releasing the bow string.

It is possible to extend a portion of the solid region of the attachment over one of the faces, to allow the edge, bulge, or indention which establishes the activation position to be extended over the top of the trigger arm, while the face from which that extension extends is attached to the side of the trigger. This design may provide extra stability as the trigger is activated by applying pressure above the end of the trigger lever arm, so that the archer is exerting force only in the direction which the trigger itself moves to release the retaining mechanism which holds the bowstring prior to shooting the arrow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a bow string release attachment, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the bow string release attachment of the present invention, showing how it is attached to a handheld archery release.

FIG. 3 is perspective top view of a handheld archery release to which the attachment of the present invention has been attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of an embodiment of the attachment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of another embodiment of the attachment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of yet another embodiment of the attachment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of yet another embodiment of the attachment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of a handheld archery release to which the attachment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 has been attached.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the attachment of the present invention.

In the drawings, the following legend has been used:

10 Bow string release attachment 12 Hand held archery release 14 Trigger of hand held archery release 16 Cocking arm of hand held archery release 18 Retaining mechanism of hand held archery release 20 Cavity in which bow string is held 22 Body of hand held bow string release 24 First face of attachment 26 Second face of attachment 28 Connection hole formed in face of attachment 30 Fastener to connect attachment to hand held bow string release 32 Solid region bounded by first face, second face, and exterior surface 34 Exterior surface of solid region 36 Edge 38 Indention 40 Extension from first face 42 Flat area of exterior surface 44 Bulge 46 Activation position

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a bow string release attachment suitable for connection to the trigger of a hand held archery release to allow an archer to consistently and accurately trigger the archery release without disturbing the bow string. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Some well-known methods and structures have not been set forth in order not to unnecessarily obscure the description of the present invention.

The claimed bow string release attachment 10 is designed for use with a hand held archery release 12, which release is known in the prior art. As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional archery release 12 has a retaining mechanism 18 which, when engaged by a cocking arm 16, securely holds a bow string (not shown) within a cavity 20. A trigger arm or lever 14 of the archery release 12 must be actuated to release the retaining mechanism 18, permitting the bow string to spring forward and propel an arrow being held in the bow.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bow string release attachment 10 has a solid body 32 bounded by a first face 24, a second face 26 opposing the first face 24, and an exterior surface 34 of the solid 32. The attachment 10 can have one of many different shapes, including but not limited to the quarter-cylinder shown in FIG. 1, the hexagonal prism shown in FIG. 4, the cylinder shown in FIG. 5, and the rectangular prism shown in FIG. 6. The attachment 10 can be made of any rigid material, including metal, plastic, ceramic, and wood. The exterior surface 34 may be polished or knurled.

One or more connection holes 28 may be formed in either or both faces 24, 26. As best shown in FIG. 2, a fastener 30, such as a screw, nail, or brad, may be inserted through a connection hole 28 of the attachment 10 and also through a hole in the trigger arm or lever 14 of the hand held archery release 12 to connect the attachment 10 to the archery release 12. In this manner, one face 24 of the attachment 10 may be securely held flush against the trigger 14, as best shown in FIG. 3. Secured in this position, pressure applied to the attachment 10, either by pushing or pulling the attachment 10, activates the trigger 14 to engage a searing mechanism (not shown) within the archery release 12, thereby releasing the retaining mechanism 18 to allow the bow string (not shown) to spring forward. Because the mechanism 10 can be moved by applying very little pressure, and the attachment 10 is held in a secure position against the trigger 14, the trigger 14 is activated without unnecessary force or pressure applied in more than a single vector direction that might otherwise cause the bow and arrow to be jostled, adversely affecting the aim of the arrow.

Each embodiment of the attachment 10 includes an activation position 46 which is ideally suited for the archer to locate by touch. The activation position 46 may constitute a convex bulge 44 as shown in FIG. 5 or a concave indention 38 as shown in FIG. 4. In either case, the archer can easily discern the location of the activation position 46 by feeling the convex or concave area on the exterior surface 34 of the solid body 32. When a bulge 44 or indention 38 is used, the archer may most conveniently find and press the activation position 46 with the tip of a finger or thumb (not shown). The activation position 46 is located on the exterior surface 34 so that when pressure is applied to the activation position 46, the trigger 14 is activated to release the bow string from the cavity 20 of the archery release 12. As a result, the arrow held in the bow is shot in a highly accurate and repeatable fashion.

In a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention shown in FIGS. 1-4, the exterior surface 32 is shaped to include two flat areas 42 which intersect to form an edge 36 extending from one face 24 to the other 26. This edge 36 is tactilely discernible, and serves as the activation position 46 in this embodiment of the attachment 10. The edge 36 provides flexibility of use, since it can be engaged by a finger tip or thumb tip, the inside of a joint of a finger or thumb, or another portion of the archer's hand. The archer can determine which portion of his hand can most stably engage the edge 36 and then use that portion of his hand to apply pressure to the edge 36 to activate the trigger 14. Given that little pressure is required and the attachment 10 is securely connected to the trigger 14, the attachment 10 permits the trigger 14 to be activated without jerking the bow string or changing the position of the aimed arrow. Because the same activation position 46 is repeatedly used in successive shots of the bow, the archer gains consistency and accuracy which are not possible with previous bow string release devices.

It may be advantageous to form the edge 36 by shaping the exterior surface 34 to include more than two adjoining flat surfaces 42. Using multiple adjoining flat surfaces 42, it is possible to create an edge 36 which is itself a flat surface 42 or combination of adjoining flat surfaces 42. Such an edge 36 may be more comfortably engaged by a digit of the archer's hand (not shown) than a sharp edge 36 formed by a steep intersection of only two flat surfaces 42.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9, a generally cylinder shaped solid body 32 may be used as the attachment mechanism 10, with a portion of the cylinder removed to form an activation position 46 which is a subtended length of opposing arcs of the exterior surface 34.

Even further stability may be achieved by using an embodiment of the attachment 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. An extension 40 of a portion of the solid body 32 beyond the first face 24 permits a portion of the attachment 10 to extend over the top of the trigger arm 14 of the hand held archery release 12. The extension 40 may beneficially include an extended portion of the edge 36 which comprises the activation position 46, as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, a rounded or other non-edge segment 40 of the solid body 32 may extend beyond the first face 24, and a convex bulge 44 or concave indention 38 may be formed in that extension 40 to provide a tactilely discernible activation position 46. The activation position 46 may thus be advantageously located directly above the trigger 14, increasing stability.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is purely illustrative and is not to be interpreted as limiting. Consequently, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, various alterations, modifications, or alternative applications of the invention will, no doubt, be suggested to those skilled in the art after having read the preceding disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted as encompassing all alterations, modifications, or alternative applications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A bow string release attachment for attaching to the trigger of a trigger activated hand held archery release, the trigger being a lever arm with two sides and an end, comprising: a. a solid having a first face, an opposing second face, and a region between said faces surrounded by an exterior surface, b. said first face having at least one connection hole formed therein for receiving a fastener to connect the attachment to the trigger, c. said exterior surface having at least one tactilely discernible activation position, such that application of pressure at said activation position activates the trigger of the archery release when the attachment is attached to the trigger.
 2. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, wherein said activation position comprises an edge extending from said first face to said opposing second face, said edge comprising an intersection of two substantially flat segments of said exterior surface.
 3. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, wherein said activation position comprises a plurality of edges extending from said first face to said opposing second face, each such edge comprising an intersection of two substantially flat segments of said exterior surface, wherein said flat segments are adjoining.
 4. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, in which said solid comprises a prism and at least one edge of the prism comprises an activation position.
 5. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, in which said solid comprises a portion of a cylinder and an edge formed by intersection of a plurality of external tangents of the cylinder comprises an activation position.
 6. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, in which said solid is generally cylinder-shaped with a portion of said solid removed to form an activation position which is a subtended length of opposing arcs of said exterior surface.
 7. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, in which said first face has a plurality of connection holes formed therein, each suitable for receiving a fastener to connect the attachment to a side of the trigger.
 8. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, further comprising an extension extending outward from said first face so that said extension extends over the trigger when the attachment is connected to the trigger and so that said activation position extends beyond the side of the trigger connected to said first face.
 9. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, wherein said activation position comprises a concave indention suitable for placing a tip of a digit of a user.
 10. A bow string release attachment according to claim 1, wherein said activation position comprises a convex bulge suitable for placing a tip of a digit of a user.
 11. A bow string release attachment according to claim 2, wherein a concave indention suitable for placing a tip of a digit of a user is formed in said edge.
 12. A bow string release attachment according to claim 2, wherein a convex bulge suitable for placing a fingertip of a user is formed in said edge.
 13. A method of activating the trigger of a trigger activated hand held archery release, comprising: a. connecting to the trigger an attachment having a first face, an opposing second face, and a region between said faces surrounded by an exterior surface, said first face having at least one connection hole formed therein for receiving a fastener to connect the attachment to the trigger, and said exterior surface having at least one tactilely discernible activation position, b. engaging said activation position with a portion of a user's hand, and c. applying pressure to said activation position to activate the trigger of the archery release. 